Struggling to Protect Tank Bottoms? Try a Polymeric Conductive Flexible Anode

Case One: 100,000 m³ Storage Tank Bottom

A refinery had three large storage tanks protected by deep well anodes for years. However, the potential at the center of the tank bottoms consistently failed to meet protection criteria. An inspection revealed significant pitting corrosion in the central area of the tank bottoms.

After switching to a Polymeric Conductive Flexible Anode, three flexible anodes were installed radially under each tank bottom in a fan-shaped pattern. One month after commissioning, the potential deviation across the entire tank bottom was reduced from ±250 mV to ±60 mV. Even the most central areas received full protection.

The engineer's feedback: "The flexible anode made the current 'walk' all the way to the center of the tank bottom."

Case Two: Invisible Corrosion in a Cased Pipe Section

A gas transmission line passing under a highway used a protective casing. The annular space between the inner wall of the casing and the carrier pipe created a shielding effect, preventing conventional cathodic protection current from reaching the pipe. An excavation two years later revealed significant rust formation at coating defects on the pipe within the casing.

The solution: A Polymeric Conductive Flexible Anode was pulled through the casing from one end, accompanied by a conductive backfill slurry. The flexible anode was laid parallel to and in close proximity to the carrier pipe, delivering current directly to the coating defects. Post-installation testing confirmed that the entire pipe section within the casing achieved a potential below -0.85 V CSE.

Case Three: Revamping an Aging Station – No Hot Work, No Shutdown

A gas compressor station needed to add cathodic protection to its underground piping network. However, the station had congested pipes and above-ground equipment, making large-scale excavation or hot work impossible. Traditional point anodes had no room for installation.

The construction crew placed a Polymeric Conductive Flexible Anode directly into existing pipe trenches alongside the targeted pipes, connecting the ends to the rectifier via junction boxes. The entire installation took two days, and station operations continued normally without interruption.

The Flexible Anode: Not a Replacement, But a Solution

These three cases share a common theme: point anodes are not inadequate, they are simply unsuitable for these geometries. The flexible anode fills the specific gap of cathodic protection for complex structures.

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